Denis Leamy announces retirement

Denis Leamy today became the third Munster player who has been forced to call time on his career this season.
The decision has been forced on the 30 year old because of a hip injury that has this season limited him to three RaboDirect PRO12 games and Munster's four opening games in the Heineken Cup following his return from the World Cup in New Zealand.

Leamy won the first of his 144 Munster caps in September 2001 and played in both the 2006 and 2008 Heineken Cup finals. Capped 57 times by Ireland, he played in two World Cups, was twice a Triple Crown winner and was a member of the 2009 Grand Slam winning side.

Commenting on the news Leamy said, "I find it hard to put into words how much it has meant to me to play for Munster and Ireland. It was a dream come true and I was very lucky to play with some of the greatest players ever to wear the jerseys and feel blessed that I was part of winning teams. "I've had a great career, wish it had gone on a little longer but I'd like to thank all the coaches, players, medical staff and management who have helped me over the past decade. It's been a great honour to be involved with such an outstanding group of people.

"I'd also like to thank the fans most sincerely. I fully appreciate the sacrifices they've made, spending their hard earned cash to cheer us on, be it Munster or Ireland, at home games and all over Europe. Their support has been truly fantastic and a memory I'll carry forever."

Munster Rugby Chief Executive Garrett Fitzgerald said "We are obviously very disappointed that Denis has been forced to call it a day particularly when he is in the prime of his career. An outstanding back-row player throughout his career, I believe his contribution to Munster and Irish Rugby has been inestimable. His fierce determination on the field was mirrored by his work ethic off it and he leaves Munster rugby with our gratitude and best wishes for the future."

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/10507.php

Flannery, Wallace and now Leamy forced to retire this season because of injuries. Munster not having much luck.

Leamy is only 30 but has been troubled by injuries for the past few seasons. He was a fantastic player for Munster and no doubt a big blow.

Sad, sad news. i recall i think it was in and around 2006 he was playing some awesome stuff. i remember us getting hammered by the all blacks at lansdowne but he never took a backward step.

Putting spies on his arse in the lead up to trimbles try in the AI's that year was another highlight.

Sorry to hear that. Big blow for Munster.

He was a fantastic player in his prime but has been dogged by injury and never quite rekindled that breathtaking form he had a few seasons ago when he was undoubtdly world class.

Best of luck on your retirement Dennis, thanks for the memories

fantastic play. so unfortunate with injuries. he has been plagued for the last 4 years. hard to believe he is only 30

You could be sad, and of course for the players involved it's the end of a era...and they'll be outsiders looking in from here on in.

Leamy was a Munster monster - one of their select battle rams that would often willing collide with nature itself to get Munster across a hurdle.

But, times are moving and Munster need some serious rejigging to get them motoring again in the omenous fashion they have done in the past. Irish rugby needs three strong sides, Irish rugby needs Munster to be the thorn in Europe's side again.

As senior players unwind and come off the threadmill, the potential future will be hopping on. It should actually be an exciting time to be a Munster supporter. The heights are gone for now but now time for the rebuild, to reset the clock and get set for another bloodyminded climb up the European hill. They'll certainly have the ambition and that's why I'm looking forward to Munster,not shedding tears.

Jebus Fly - couldn't you just wish the guy well.

Leamy was one of the biggest pains in the orse to England during the 'noughties'. Always a player who was up for the battle.


Best wishes to a fine player.

Always gave his all for Munster and Ireland, clearly often at personal cost to his own body - enjoy your retirement

He was great some years ago - symptomatic of & rather over-promoted by the Irish management in recent years to the detriment of the Irish team which was unfortunate - so best remembered for those days recalled above

Sad to see him go and hope he enjoys his retirement.

The long term effects of injuries from the professional era are now likely to start emerging for rugby players generally. You have to wonder how these guys are going to get on in later life with some of the punishment their bodies have taken over the last ten years as the hits have got bigger and heavier.

I have to say I am worried about Munsters backrow.

Best of luck in retirement Denis - great servant for Munster and Ireland. I think that this has been forecast for some weeks now but still a pity to hear it. One of the toughest loose forwards in the game until injury took over.

Hound_of_Harrow wrote:Jebus Fly - couldn't you just wish the guy well.

Leamy was one of the biggest pains in the orse to England during the 'noughties'. Always a player who was up for the battle.


Best wishes to a fine player.

When you wish so many guys well in the course of such a brief period...we've had quite a few. You start to feel stale saying "What a beaut of a player and I wish him well" It begins to sound insincere even though it isn't. Blame the number of retirements on my resistence to 'wishing him well' - which I obviously do

Munster are having shocking luck with injuries lately,Wally and Fla were bad wnough but they were both on the way out anyway in terms of age but you'd have hoped Leamy had another 3-5 years in him.

Sad to see any player have to retire so early.

I wish him well in his retirement.

Sadly in the modern game this will only become more prevalent and we will be revisiting this type of article all too often in the future.

Sad news. Leamy back from injury and in form would have been an immense addition to the Munster backrow next season.

The Players Out v Players In isn't adding up.

Players Out:
- John Hayes
- Mick O'Driscoll
- Jerry Flannery
- David Wallace
- Denis Leamy
- Tomas O'Leary
- Lifeimi Mafi
- Peter Borlase
- Denis Fogarty
- Declan Cusack
- Tom Gleeson

Players In:
- Casey Laulala
- James Downey
- Sean Dougall

Doesn't really add up.

Stag, when you look at that and Ulsters goings/comings maybe the IRFU have told the provinces to tighten their belts.

You've stringer coming back too Stag and no doubt there'll be academy promotions.

Won't the IRFU's budget, and thus the provinces budgets, be reduced because we had such a shoite 6N? There must be sponsorship prize money etc. there based on results?

Rava wrote:Stag, when you look at that and Ulsters goings/comings maybe the IRFU have told the provinces to tighten their belts.

I havent had the confidence to open "Ulsters Squad Additions"

Ah jeysus. Hard luck Dinny, was a beast of a player back in 06 where I think he played his best rugby. Will always remember Trimbles try against SA where Leamy handed off Pierre Spies twice before Trimbs broke through.

does this mean David O'callaghan is gonna be getting more starts?

Yeah great player when firing on all cylindars. Lost form in latter stages of career but was a great servant to Ireland and will be remembered as such.

When he was a 22 year old, i was watching him and thinking 'Jaysus' this boy is going to be something. Its a sad day for him but the correct decision for himself.

Fantastic player and decent lad as well. Good luck mate.

another Munster retirement.

Darragh Hurley is retiring because of injury

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Darragh Hurley could have been where Cian Healy is at if it weren't for injuries. Obviously, some injuries just take their toll but with the huge number of retirments, the Munster Strength and Conditioning and fitness coaches need to be examined.

In the last two seasons I think it's 6 retired due to injury from Munster unreal.

Flannery,Dowling,Murphy,Wallace,Leamy, Hurley are the players gone due to injury.

I agree Thomond. I think the medical team need to be asked serious questions.